Not all beets are red, believe it or not. We have golden beets, rainbow beets, orange beets, and candy cane beets (my favorite!).
But, the earthy, wholesome goodness of ruby red beets, paired with red rice, and bittersweet and buttery radicchio, lends itself to a supremely spicy, scarlet, and succulent supper! Don’t forget the sweetness of balsamic vinegar glaze and the crunch and spice of radish sprouts! (And blue cheese, if you like).
Radicchio is a perennial cultivated form of leaf chicory sometimes known as Italian chicory because of its common use in Italian cuisine. It is grown as a leaf vegetable and usually has colorful white-veined red leaves that form a head. Radicchio has a bitter and spicy taste which mellows if it is grilled or roasted.
(I know, too many alliterations. I simply cannot help myself!)
This is a flavor explosion in your mouth! So many tastes, so many textures, so many sensations!
Red Beets, Rice, & Radicchio
Red Beets, Rice, & Radicchio
1 cup red rice, rinsed and drained
2 1/2 cups water
1 Tbs. butter or olive oil
2 Tbs. butter or olive oil
4 large roasted red beets, peeled and sliced
sea salt and pepper
1 Tbs. butter or olive oil
1/2 head radicchio, chopped
sea salt and pepper
1 Tbs. balsamic glaze
1/2 cup radish sprouts
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
In a medium pot, combine the red rice, water, and butter. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Partially cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes, until the rice is both soft and a little crunchy.
In a separate pan, melt the butter. Add the sliced beets and salt and pepper. Stir and sauté until the beets begin to caramelize. Set aside, reserving any beet juice remaining in the pan.
In the same pan, add the last bit of butter (if desired) and sauté the radicchio with salt and pepper until caramelized. Stir in the balsamic glaze.
Serve the rice topped with the ruby red beets, and bittersweet radicchio. Top (garnish) with radish sprouts and crumbled blue cheese.
This is a flavor explosion in your mouth! So many tastes, so many textures, so many sensations!
